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E DIVISION

CULLOMPTON skipper Richard Folds took a calculated gamble to bat first against Exeter Civil Service and paid the price with a four-wicket defeat in a low-scoring affair.

   Cully were shot out for 89, which Civil knocked off despite a solo effort by Rob McManus to save the game for the home side.

   With bad weather about it was a brave decision by Folds to bat first, but he thought it was worth a go.

   “They expected me to put them in but I had a theory that we are a better side batting first and so that's why I opted to bat,” said Folds.

   The ploy didn't work too well as only opener Dave Percy managed to master the visiting bowling and the conditions.

   Percy carried his bat from first ball to last walking off with his score on 43. Only Ben Coates (12) and skipper Folds (12) managed to get any sort of score into the book.

   Kris Kalderhead did the damage with the ball claiming five for 39. Howard Rose took three for 14.

   Faced with such a small target to defend, Folds asked strike bowler Rob McManus for early wickets to get Cully back into the game.

   McManus responded by taking six wickets, but that wasn't enough. Civil opener Joe Eady led his side home with an unbeaten 47.

   For Civil it was a first win after two blanks so skipper Greg Newcombe was delighted.

   “It was certainly difficult for both sides as the conditions made for a tough time with bat and ball,” said Newcombe. “Now we will go from here.”

 

HALBERTON broke their duck for the season with a crushing nine-wicket win over visiting Lustleigh.

   Lustleigh were dismissed for just 140 and then, after losing Kev Fever in the first over of the reply, Halberton strolled it thanks to John Chilcott (84no) and Tom Sambrook (49no).

   Sambrook hit two sixes and five fours whilst the Chilcott knock included three sixes and 11 fours.

   Lustleigh's batting was a disappointing affair with Paul Foot (32) and Craig Bartlett (28) the only batsmen to prosper.

   Halberton skipper Dan Coles said: “I was very surprised at the ease with which we won this game. I had expected them (Lustleigh) to be a very tough side and we have won with something to spare.

   “We struggled for a settled side in the first two games with all sorts of other commitments and I feel very confident that as we field the XI's we want to put out we will be okay at this level”.

   Victory was set up for Halberton by Fred Harding with four for 39 from 13 overs.

   Will Austin (2-34), Jerry Turner (2-36) and skipper Coles (2-34) gave excellent support.